boomslang

/boohm"slahng, -slang/, n.

a venomous, tree-dwelling snake, Dispholidus typus, of tropical and southern Africa, having black to greenish scales.

[1785-95; < Afrik, equiv. to boom tree (see BOOM², BEAM) + slang snake]

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Venomous snake (Dispholidus typus) of the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, the only species of its family that is decidedly dangerous to humans.

When hunting, it lies in wait in a bush or tree for chameleons and birds; the forepart of the body often extends motionless into the air. The boomslang's body and eye colours are extremely variable and provide excellent camouflage. In defense it inflates its neck, showing the dark skin between the scales, and then may strike. Its venom causes hemorrhages and can be fatal to humans in small amounts.

Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)

Dade Thornton from The National Audubon Society Collection

Photo Researchers/EB Inc.

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▪ snake

 (Dispholidus typus), venomous snake of the family Colubridae, one of the few colubrid species that is decidedly dangerous to humans. This moderately slender snake grows to about 1.8 metres (6 feet) in length and occurs in savannas throughout sub-Saharan Africa. When hunting, it lies in wait in a bush or tree for chameleons and birds; the forepart of the body often extends motionless into the air.

      Its body and eye colour are extremely variable, and camouflage is excellent. In defense the boomslang inflates the neck, showing the dark skin between the scales; it then may strike. It is rear-fanged, but the fangs are set relatively far forward in the mouth. The venom causes hemorrhages and can be fatal to humans in small amounts.

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